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Q&A
NYC Ferry ridership trends and expectations
0:41:29
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172 sec
Council Member Farías inquires about NYC Ferry ridership trends and future expectations. Andrew Kimball discusses the recent increase in ridership and the factors contributing to this growth.
- NYC Ferry saw its highest ever average monthly ridership of 827,000 in the first four months of fiscal year 2025
- The trend of increasing ridership has continued since coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic
- EDC has reduced the per-passenger subsidy by 30% while achieving record high ridership
- Factors contributing to increased ridership include:
- New Yorkers seeking outdoor alternatives for commuting during and after COVID
- Improved marketing campaigns
- Good stewardship by the operator, Hornblower, with support from EDC
Amanda Farías
0:41:29
Great.
0:41:30
We look forward to hearing about all of those PLAs as they progress.
0:41:33
I'd like to shift over to NYC ferries.
0:41:36
In early twenty fifteen, administration announced the establishment of the citywide ferry system.
0:41:43
The intent was to connect waterfront communities throughout New York City.
0:41:47
As you may remember, my mother is a huge fan of the ferry system and I have a few question regarding RNYC ferries and follow-up from last year because if I don't ask about it, she'll ask about it.
0:41:58
The ferry saw its highest ever average monthly ridership of 827,000 in the first four months of fiscal twenty twenty five.
0:42:07
The trend of increasing ridership has continued since coming out of COVID.
0:42:11
Does EDC expect the ridership to plateau eventually?
Andrew Kimball
0:42:15
I hope not.
0:42:17
You know kudos to the past administration for standing up NYC ferry.
0:42:23
When we came in, partly because of COVID and partly because there had previously been a commitment to only charge what the MTA charges across the board.
0:42:34
The The ferry service was really a financial crisis.
0:42:40
We're really proud that we have brought some more financial stability to that.
0:42:47
Part of that is that one time riders now pay $4.75 if you're buying a 10 pack or more it's the same rate as as as bus or subway.
0:42:59
As you know, thanks to your leadership and the committee's leadership, there is now a discount program for high school students.
0:43:06
We were able to reduce the per passenger subsidy 30% at the same time as we hit record highs in ridership, which we're noting.
0:43:15
We're continuingly looking, to increase ridership, to also increase the number of folks who have access to our fair fares program, half price.
0:43:26
There are now 20,000 New Yorkers participating in that program and you'll be glad to know, that I believe it's your mother's route, the Soundview route, has another famous rider which is the new deputy mayor for economic development and housing, Adolfo Carreon.
0:43:39
So the two of them should lobby together.
Amanda Farías
0:43:41
Yeah.
0:43:43
What does EDC attribute to the increases in ridership to be?
Andrew Kimball
0:43:49
I think that during COVID, New Yorkers were looking for alternatives, outdoor alternatives frankly to commute and we saw that numbers increasing coming out of COVID.
0:44:03
I think that has only increased since then with the good stewardship of our operator Hornblower and the support of EDC in that with improved marketing campaigns around it.
0:44:18
So I think all of those are are factors.